Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: The Resurrection of the Dead (continued))

Beloved, in continuance of our theme from our “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” series, entitled “The Resurrection of the Dead” – some will ask, “how are they raised up?” “And what body will they use to raise themselves?” Paul provides the answers to these questions in I Corinthians 15:35-50. First of all, Paul explains that no one can “raise themselves – Jesus will raise” us! Because “he made us” (John 1:3) and He determined when to allow each man to die (to be “planted”). So, therefore, He (Jesus) can give us a new body and “raise” us when He pleases. Paul explains (in I Corinthians 15) that “Thou sowest not that body that shall be…But God giveth it a body as it has pleased him.” Beloved, “the body” given is determined by the seed sown. Only God will make the choice whether to give us a body fashioned for eternal life or eternal death. Only God will make the choice whether a person will be raised to life (the first “Resurrection”) or to death (the second “Resurrection”). This is why Paul explains further, “So also is the Resurrection of the Dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.” (However you die, meaning your spiritual state, will be the way you are raised.) “It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.” There is a “natural body,” Beloved, and there is a “spiritual body.” I believe the Apostle Paul settles any confusion on this theological point when he says, “The first man is of the earth [natural body]… the second man is [of] the Lord from heaven. As is the [earthly], such are they also that are [earthly]: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.” Finally, Paul says, “As we have borne the image of the [earthly], we SHALL ALSO BEAR THE IMAGE of the Heavenly.”

Precious Ones, be not deceived – no man will rise up differently (in his spiritual state) than he laid down. Again, it is confirmed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that when a person’s “time is at hand [the time to die] he that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still” (Revelation 22:10-11).

Chosen Ones, until next week, I will conclude with this thought – since the corruptible flesh will not inherit incorruption (eternal life) let us obey the words of Paul. Let us “put off the old man with his deeds, and put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:9-10, Ephesians 4:22-24).

I love you all SO very much.
Yours because of Christ,

Pastor William L. McCoy

Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: The Resurrection of the Dead (continued))

Beloved, today we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is only fitting that we continue this series of letters from our “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” Series, entitled “The Resurrection of the Dead.” Beloved, those who are without hope grieve because their loved ones have been taken away. This is why the apostle Paul encourages us not to be “ignorant…concerning them which are asleep [those who have died in Christ].” Paul says, “Sorrow not…as others which have no hope” (I Thessalonians 4:13). Why? Because “if [we as Christians] believe that Jesus died and rose again, [we expect Him to bring all of them that] sleep in Jesus with him [when He comes]” (I Thessalonians 4:14). Again, Beloved, let us draw our conclusions from the Word of God. Scripture teaches us the purpose of Christ’s death. “To this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he [Jesus] might be Lord both of the dead and the living” (Romans 14:9). Finally, we learn that it is God’s will for us to benefit from His resurrection. Jesus “died for us, whether we [are awake] or sleep, [so that] we should live together with him” (I Thessalonians 5:10). Scripture also records that “God hath both raised up the Lord, and [He] will also raise up us by his own power” (I Corinthians 6:14). Beloved, this means that all Christians are supposed to live a victorious life. If we “live with him,” this means that as He lives, our lives ought to emulate His. If Jesus reigns over all things, let us rejoice over the fact that we do too! Today, we have the same power that He has. We are “the present” that God will present to Himself (see II Corinthians 4:14).

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this…

I love you all SO very much,
Because He is Risen,

Pastor William L. McCoy

Beloved, in continuance of our theme from the “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” series, entitled “The Resurrection of the Dead” – this topic is fitting as we celebrate Palm Sunday. You must understand that it was because of the hope of the resurrection that Paul was called into question and finally sent to Rome to make an appeal before Caesar. On Paul’s way to his audience with Caesar, he stood before Felix (the governor of Judea) and said, “I confess unto thee [that my fathers have] hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (Acts 24:14-15). Beloved, at some point, everyone will be raised from the dead. However, those of us who are partakers of the first resurrection (the Rapture) will be raised to live a life of eternal joy, but those who are raised in the second resurrection will be raised for judgment and eternal damnation! According to the scriptures, “blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power” (Revelation 20:6).

Precious Ones, when Paul met King Agrippa (King of the Judean Region), Paul said to him, “Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” (Acts 26:8). When Paul finally arrived in Rome to address Caesar (the Roman Emperor) and his magistrates, Paul said, “When the Jews spake against [my faith in Jesus’ resurrection], I was constrained [prompted] to appeal unto Caesar…For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel [being raised to see Jesus face to face in eternal life] I am bound with this chain” (Acts 28:19-20).
Chosen Ones, today, many people think it incredible that Jesus was raised from the dead. They do not share our faith that just as God can raise Jesus, so He can raise them out of every challenge. In their doubt, they will try to keep us from achieving our spiritual and physical goals. Remember, however, that because of the resurrection, we can now do “all things through Christ which strengtheneth (us)” (Philippians 4:13).

I will write more on this subject for Easter Sunday. Until then, know this,

I love you all SO very much,
Because He was raised,

Pastor William L. McCoy

Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: The Resurrection of the Dead (continued))

Beloved, in continuance of our theme from the “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” series, entitled “The Resurrection of the Dead,” let me say this to you – while many may accept some other doctrine, the Word teaches no other doctrine on resurrection than simply raising dead people by the power of God! The belief that God had the power to raise the dead was one of the “anchors of the soul” mentioned by Paul in the Book of Hebrews. It was the anchor “of the soul” for men who served God in other ages, and I believe that if it is taught from the Word of God today, we will stand even as tall as they stood – having faith in the power of the Word.

Precious Ones, there were some in Paul’s day that erred from the truth as they do today. Some in the apostle’s time were “saying that the resurrection is past already” (II Timothy 2:18). These people tried to “overthrow the faith of some” by getting rid of those who taught or believed in the resurrection of the saints. However, in the very next verse, Paul said that the doctrine of resurrection is the “foundation” of our Christian faith. As Paul elegantly explained, “…the foundation of God standeth sure” (II Timothy 2:19). This means that if we want to stand on a sure foundational truth, we must believe that God has the ability to raise dead things to life! It was a departure from the truth to teach that the resurrection was past, and I say that this doctrine is as destructive to the faith as any other false doctrine of this day.

Chosen Ones, those who believe and teach that God has “already” manifested His resurrection, and that no one else will experience “resurrection,” fall into the category described in the Book of II Timothy. These people “(have) a form of godliness, but (deny) the power thereof” (II Timothy 3:5). The power of godliness is to resurrect life out of death. This means that when you become acquainted with the power of God, you discover that health can be resurrected out of sickness; salvation can be resurrected out of sin; wealth can be resurrected out of poverty; and pleasure can be resurrected out of pain. Thus, you will know that life can be resurrected out of death!!! Why? Because Jesus, being raised from the dead, made all of this possible. As the songwriter said, “Now life is worth the living just because He lives.”

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then,

I love you all SO very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy